Fire extinguisher method and apparatus



Sept. 24, l 940.

H. ENSMINGER FIRE EXTINGUISHER METHOD AND APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 17, 1938 H. ENSMINGER FIRE EXTINGUISHER METHOD AND APPARATUS Sept. 24; 1940.

2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Nv. 17, 1958 1 Patented Sept. 24, 1940 UNITED: STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Film EXTINGUISHER METHOD AND nraaa'rus Harry Ensminger, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Car-do:

Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois - Application November 17, 1933, Serial No. 241,046

Claims. (01. lea-i1) to provide a method and'apparatus for converting liquid carbon dioxide, restrained under high pressure, into a mixture of solid carbon dioxide,

16 in the form of small particles and large fiakes, and gas for use as a fire extinguishing medium.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of discharge device for carbon di-'- oxide to be used as a fire extinguishing medium.

' A still further object of the invention is to provide in an ambulant fire extinguisher discharge device ior carbon dioxide, means for obtaining a greater yield of snow than can be produced by merely permitting liquid carbon dioxide to expand as it is discharged to the atmosphere through a small orifice.

' Other objects andadvantages of the invention will be apparent during' the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals areemployed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is an endelevational view apparatus disclosedin Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary tional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line l4 of Fig. 3,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on-line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Figure 6 is aperspectiveview of a drum eleof the .45 ment which forms a part of the apparatus,

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of a form of discharge guiding vane employed as a part of In the mm, wherein for the purpose of illustration ire shown the preferred embodimeats ot'thk hivention. the reference character longitudinal -secapipe, of any desired lenathJlhich is employed for connecting the discharge device embodying this invention to a source of supply of liquid carbon dioxide, preferably confined under high pressure within a container, or the like. A suitable source of supply would be from 5 an uninsulated container which is subjected to the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere. It is to be understood that the pipe I0 is merely, representative of means for connecting the discharge device to a source of supply. If desired, 10 a flexible hose may be substituted for the pipe it or the discharge device may be directly connected to the discharge end of a portable cylinder or drum.

The opposite ends of the pipe l0, are threaded, 18 as at H and I2. Connected to the threaded end 12 is a discharge head I: .which is formed with an internally screw threaded nipple l4 designed to receive the threaded end l2 of the .pipe. ID. A jam or lock nut i5 is employed for preventing 20 unintentional separation of the head 'l3 from the pipe. The wall ii of :the head i3, which separates the bore of the nipple ll from the interior of the head is provided with a small or constricted orifice I1. This orifice functions as 25 an inlet opening for the interior I8 of the head I3. This interior functions 'as an expansion chamber. The nipple side of the wall It is of conical formation, as is indicated by the ref-' erence character l9, foreflecting flow of the 80 liquid carbon dioxide toward the orifice FL in 'a manner to prevent the formation of eddies and to insure smooth, high follow-up pressure discharge of the liquid carbon dioxide. The discharge side of the chamber l8; 1. e., the outer 35 end of the head II, is provided with an annular securing flange 20. r

Detachably. fastened to the outer face of the securing flange 20', by means of the screws 2|, is the radialLv extending base flange 22 of an 40 expansion drum 2!, the construction of which is best illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive. To prevent'leakage between the discharge head l3 and the drum 23, a pachng gasket 2| is positioned between the flanges," and 22.

This drum II is formed of sheet material and includes the cylindrical body portion 24 with the outer end wall 25 which is formed integral with the'side walL- longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced slots it are formed in the cylindrical-sidewsllflandextendintotheendwall 25, as is clearly illustrated in'Figs. 2, 5 and 6'.

This drum 23, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, is in open communication with the expsnsion chamber-IO of the discharge head I3 68 and forms with this chamber an expansion space or, more specifically, the'drum acts as an extension of the expansion chamber 13.

For the purpose of diflusing the fluid discharged axially of the expansion chamber l9 and.

the interior of the drum 23 through the inlet orifice l1, and for deflecting this fluid outwardly through the slots 26, a diffuser 21 is provided. This difiuser' is best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8 as including a sleeve 28 having an end 29 received in the central aperture 30 of the end wall 25 of the drum 23. Fig. 5 discloses this end portion 29 of the sleeve as having been spun or flared outwardly and then brazed or welded, as at 3|, to the margin of the opening 30. The inner end of the sleeve 28 has inserted therein the reduced stem 32 of a pointed or conical head 33. This head is brazed or welded to the inner end of the sleeve 28, as at 34.

Fig. '7 discloses one of a series of elongated guiding vanes 35. This vane is of channel or rectangular formation in cross sectionl The iongitudinal edges of the side walls 36 are cut away at 31 to form securing lugs 33 and 39. The inner end 40 of the vane 35 is sloped or inclined inwardly so as to act as a closure for the inner end of the vane. Y J

Figs. 3 and 4 best illustrate the fact that the vane 35 is secured to the peripheral surface of the drum 23 by. welding the lugs 33 and 39 to the cylindrical wall 24 of the drum, as at 4|. The end wall .40 of the vane also is welded at 42 to the outer surface ofthe securing flange 22 of the drum. Figs. 2- and 5 clearly illustrate the fact that one of these vanes 35 is provided for each discharge slot 26 of the'drum 23. The vanes extend longitudinally with respect to the slots 26. Figs. 3 and 5 show the vanes 35 as being of proper length to position the outer securing lugs 38 at the outer end portion of the drum 23 or so that the portions of the vanes extending beyond the securing lugs 39 project beyond the end wall 25 of the drum 23. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 disclose the cutaway edge portions 31 of the vanes which are arranged between the securing lugs 38, and 39 as functioning to admit air from the atmosphere into the interiors or bores of the guide vanes.

The operation of and the method steps performed by the discharge apparatus described above will be explained as follows:

Liquid carbon dioxide flowing under high pressure through the bore of the pipe in is discharged through the constricted opening or orifice l1 into the expansion chamber I8. The liquid carbon dioxide is permitted to expand suddenly in the chamber l8 and is converted by this sudden expansion into a mixture of gas and small particles of solid carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide snow. This mixture then flows axially of the expansion space formed by the chamber l8 and the interior of the drum 23 to be diffused and deflected radiallyv outwardly through the several discharge slots 26 of the drum. In discharging through these slots 26, the mixture impinges on the surfaces of the guide vanes 35 and is caused to make a sudden or sharp change in its direction of the=impingement and the changein direction of flow is the formation of a relatively high percentage of or yield-of large flakes of solid carbon dioxide. I v

The velocity of the flowing fluid has been materially reduced by expansion within the chamber l8 and drum 23 and by its impingement against the vanes and the change in direction of travel. However, the velocity is still high enough to bring about the entrainment of air which is admitted through the cutaway portions 31 located between the securing lugs 38 and 39.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the mechanism accomplishes three stages of discharge; first, the discharge through the constricted orifice I1 to permit expansion in the chamber [8 and the bore of the drum 23; second, the discharge through the longitudinally extending slots 26 in the expansion chamber drum 23; and, third, the impingement and change in direction of flow plus discharge of the resultant gaseous and solid mixture to the atmosphere from the projecting ends of the guide vanes. The character of discharge, due to the areas of the several guide vanes being equal with respect to each other, is of a low final velocity and equal pressure and provides a plurality of constant flow streams or jets of gaseous and solid carbon dioxide. This resultant discharge is very eflective in extinguishing all-types of fires.

' It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. The method of employing carbon dioxide as a fire extinguishing medium which comprises discharging liquid carbon dioxide and constricting said carbon dioxide at its discharge point, permitting sudden expansion of the'discharged liquid to produce a mixture of gas and small particles of snow, dividing the mixture into a plurality of flowing streams, subjecting the mixture in said streams to the shock of impingement'and to a sharp change in its direction of travel to produce large. flakes of snow, admitting air to the said flowing streams for-entrainment by said mixture, and finally discharging the plurality of streams of gaseous and solid carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

V 2. The method of employing carbon dioxide as a fire extinguishing medium which comprises permitting sudden expansion of liquid carbon dioxide to produce a mixture of gas and snow, permitting said mixture to flow in stream form, subjecting the flowing mixture to the shock of impingement and a change in direction of travel to produce additional snow, admitting air to said mixture while it is still flowing at a velocity sufa ficient to entrain the air, and finally discharging the gaseous and solid carbon dioxide to the and small particles of snow, dividing the mixture of gas and snow into a plurality of circumferential ly spaced, smaller diametered, separate streams, subjecting the mixture while in said divided streams to the shock .of impingement and to a sharp change in direction of travel toproduce large flakes of snow and to cause said streams to fiow in separate, parallel paths, and finally discharging the plurality of separate streams of gaseous and solid carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

4. The method of employing carbon dioxide as a fire extinguishing medium which comprises discharging liquidcarbon dioxide and constricting said carbon dioxide at its discharge point, permitting sudden expansion of the discharged liquid to produce a mixture of gas and small particles of snow, dividing the mixture of gas and snow 'into a plurality of flowing streams, subjecting the mixture in said streams to a sharp change in direction of travel to produce large flakes of snow, admitting air to said flowing streams for entrainment by said mixture, and finally discharging the plurality of streams of gaseous and solid carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

5. The method 01 employing carbon dioxide as a fire extinguishing medium which comprises discharging liquid carbon dioxide and constricting said carbon dioxide at its discharge point, permitting sudden expansion oi the discharge liquid to produce a mixture of gas and small particles of snow, dividing the mixture of gas and snow into a plurality oi. flowing streams, subjecting the mixture in said streams to the shock of impingement to produce large flakes of snow, admitting air to said flowing streams for entrainment by said mixture, and finally discharging the plurality of streams of gaseous and solid carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

6. The method of employing carbon dioxide as a fire extinguishing medium which comprises.

permitting sudden expansion of liquid carbon dioxide to produce a mixture of gas and snow, permitting said mixture to flow in stream iorm, subiecting the flowing mixture to a change in direction oi. travel to produce additional snow, admitting air to said mixture while' it is still flowing at a velocity suflicient to entrain the air, and

finally discharging the gaseous and solid carbon dioxide mixture to the atmosphere.

7. 'Ihe'methodoi employing carbon dioxide as a fire extinguishing medium which comprises permitting sudden expansion oi liquid carbon dioxide to produce'a mixture of gas and snow, permitting said mixture to flow in stream form, subhead forming an expansion chamber having a small inlet orifice, a hollow drum in open communication with the chamber of said head, said drum having a plurality of 'circumierentially spaced discharge openings, and aplurality of.

elongated guide vane members, each one of which forms a eway for a discharge opening,

said members being grouped around the periphcry of the drum and extending longitudinally thereof.

9. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a discharge head forming an expansion chamber having .a small inlet orifice, a hollow drum in open communication withthe chamber oi. said head, said drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, peripheral discharge slots, and an elongated guide vane'overlying each of said slots and extending beyond the end of the drum.

10. In flre extinguishingapparatus, a discharge head forming an expansion chamber having a small inlet orifice, a hollow drum in open communication with the chamber of said head, said drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, peripheral discharge slots, and an elongated gu'ide vane overlying each of said slots and extending beyond the end of the drum, said guide vanes being so shaped and arranged with respect to their slots as to provide an impingement for and efiect a change in the direction. of flow of the fluid discharged from said slots.

11. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a discharge head forming an expansion chamber having a small inlet orifice, a hollow drum in open communication with the chamber of said head, said drum having a plurality of discharge openings, a guide vane for each discharge opening, and means for admitting air to each one of said uide vanes. 4

12. In fire extinguishing apparatus, means forming an expansion space for liquid carbondioxide and having a small inlet orifice and a plurality of discharge openings, diflusing means in said space for directing the fluid admitted to said space through said discharge openings, means associated with said openings for forming the fluid discharged therefrom into a plurality of streams, and means for admitting air to each one of said streams formed .by said last mentioned means. v

13. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a discharge head forming an expansion chamber having a small inlet orifice, a hollow drum in open communication with the. chamber of said head, said drum having a plurality of peripheral discharge slots, an elongated guide vane overlying each of said slots and extending beyond the end oithe drum, and means for admitting air to each one of said guide vanes.

14. In fire extinguishing apparatus, means forming an expansion space for liquid carbon dioxide and having a plurality of discharge open-'- ings and a small inlet orifice, diflusing means in said space for directing-the fluid admitted to said space through said discharge openings, means associated with said openings for forming the fluid discharged therefrom into a plural-' ity of streams, for providing impingement surfaces against which said streams strike and for effecting a change in the direction of flow of each stream, and means for admitting air to each one of said guide vanes.

15. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a discharge head forming an expansion chamber having a small inlet orifice, a hollow drum in open com munication with the chamber 01' said head, said drum having a plurality. of circumferentially spaced discharge openings, diflusing and deflecting means in said drum for directing the materialadmitted to the hollow drum-through the inlet orifice through said discharge opening, and a plurality of elongated guide vane members, each of which forms a passageway for a discharge opening, said members being grouped around the periphery of the drum and extending longitudi- 1 nally thereof. HARRY ENSMINGER. 

